The faculty and staff of Rock Hill High is facilitating the process for all students to develop the World Class Skills required to fit the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, by setting high expectations through rigorous coursework in all content areas. Rock Hill High continually provides students opportunities to excel in academics, the arts, athletics, extra-curricular activities, character development, and community involvement.
This year we had 69 students graduate with highest honors and 34 with honors. One hundred and forty-two students were CATE completers and 13 seniors attempted to earn an IB diploma. Sixteen seniors were recognized as Advanced Placement Scholars and two seniors were recognized as Advanced Placement Scholar Candidates by College Board. Out of 330 graduating seniors, 231 earned LIFE and 20 earned Palmetto Fellows scholarships. Graduating seniors who began their freshman year in 2019-2020 were eligible to earn Seals of Distinction as outlined by the South Carolina Department of Education; 237 students qualified for one or more seals. The grand total of all scholarships offered to graduates was over $13.2 million dollars.
In our fine arts program, the Rock Hill High School Band of Distinction had another successful year. The marching band earned a rating of Superior at the SCBDA 5A championship and was a 5A state finalist. The band had 16 students earn chairs in the SC Region Three Honor Bands and one student earned a chair in the SC All State Band. The Rock Hill High School winter guard earned a Bronze Medal at the Carolina Winter Ensemble Association (CWEA) Championships in the Scholastic Regional 3A class. The Indoor Percussion group earned the Gold Medal in the CWEA Scholastic Regional A class. The Symphonic band performed at the Concert Performance Assessment and earned a rating of Superior with Distinction, the highest rating an ensemble can receive. The band program also earned the SCBDA Outstanding Performance Award, which is the highest award a band can earn from the state association.
Rock Hill High’s Choral program had nine members named to the South Carolina American Choral Directors Association Honor Choir. Three members were named to the South Carolina All State Chorus and three members were named to the American Choral Directors' Association National Southern Division Honor Choir. The choir also participated in the Carowinds Festival of Music competition earning a Superior rating. The Orchestras had eight students selected and one alternate by audition for the SC Music Educators Association’s Region 1 Honors Orchestras. One member was selected for the All-State Honors Orchestra. The ensembles combined to participate in SCMEA Orchestra Division’s Region 1 Concert Performance Assessment, earning an Excellent rating. The RHHS Orchestra also performed in the adjudicated SCMEA Orchestra Division's Concert Performance Assessment, earning an Excellent Rating in Grade 5 performance, the second highest performance level criteria. The RHHS Orchestras earned the Outstanding Performance Award (OPA) for the 2023-2024 school year. This award recognizes the highest achievement for orchestra programs in the state of South Carolina. RHH Orchestra is the first in the district to receive this award.
The Rock Hill High School Theatre Department competed at the Palmetto Dramatic Association/South Carolina Thespian festival in February with a production of “Fortress”. The play received a Superior rating and 12 students received superior acting awards as well.
Twenty visual arts students were selected for the York County High School Art Show. Thirty-two students’ artworks were selected for the Teacher’s Choice Art Show. Our visual arts students received the following awards: 3rd place in 3D, 2nd place Mention in Mixed Media, and 1st place in Drawing.
Rock Hill High had 577 student athletes this year. One hundred and sixteen of those students were multi-sport athletes. Rock Hill High had 21 athletes sign scholarships, 57 senior scholar athletes (with a GPA of 3.5 or higher). Four athletes made all-star games, and 17 students were all-state athletes. Forty-three individual athletes made state tournaments as individuals in swim, wrestling and track and field. The female wrestling team won their second SCHSL sanctioned girls wrestling state championship. Two female wrestlers won state championships and one other finished with a silver medal. RHH had 11 swimmers qualify for state. Track and field had 17 qualifiers for State, 3 Upper State Champions, and one State Champion in pole vault.
Fifteen out of 18 teams made the playoff this year. Girls Volleyball, Boys Wrestling both advanced to the Upper State Championships. Girls Basketball won the upper state championship and advanced to the State Championship. Rock Hill High had 36 all-region athletes, a newcomer of the year, and two region coaches of the year. Finally, RHHS’ boys’ soccer coach was selected to coach the Clash of the Carolinas All-Star soccer game.
Rock Hill High’s faculty and staff continued to focus on improving students’ achievements on End of Course, ACT, and SAT testing. We will continue to work with students to provide the knowledge and skills needed to compete in a global society. The School Improvement Council, and the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports program continued this year to improve school climate and character education at Rock Hill High School. Students were recognized with Bearcat Bucks for showing Bearcat PRIDE (Participation, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, & Excellence). We hope to have continued success with our positive intervention program.
Kelly Scott, SIC Chair
Arthur W. Ahl, II, Principal
